Letters to the editor 11/18

November 18, 2002

Keep history in your heart

To the editor:

I would like to discuss 140th re-enactment of the battle of Antietam from the re-enactor's perspective.

I attended the first re-enactment of Antietam as well as this year's re-enactment. I was among the thousands of historians who gave up the comfort of their homes to huddle around smoky fires in itchy wool uniforms; sleep in cold, damp tents; eat hard tack, and march around all day in hard leather shoes in order to entertain and enlighten spectators as to what happened in our county 140 years ago.

We re-enactors do this willingly because of our devotion to living history and our desire to ensure the story of all soldiers who died and fought for our country isn't forgotten.

We all know the event had its downfalls (no wood, no water, inadequate parking for the re-enactors, security issues...) Hopefully, though, from the tourist perspective this was not apparent.

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We, as re-enactors and residents of Washington County realize that there is a bigger picture. We understand that the local government is concerned with the economic aspect of this event. We do hope, likewise, that the local government is concerned with us, the re-enactors. We paid a dear price to be a part of the Antietam event and we deserve to be part of this audit following the event.

If Hagerstown is going to continue to market itself as the Crossroads of the Civil War, I suggest they involve themselves with the re-enactors (living historians) as a whole. We are not represented entirely by one individual or the people primarily involved with the Antietam event. Just as it was in the days of the Civil War, we are many small bands of soldiers who, for the love of our country, aspire to keep history alive. Please allow us to have a voice and active presence in and around Hagerstown. (And not just one event every five years)!

Wes Evans

Hagerstown

Far too much crime downtown

To the editor:

Having recently moved to the downtown area of Hagerstown, I can say that I was amazed by the level of criminal activity on our streets at night.

Between the hours of 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. the streets literally belong to the criminals. I have seen (and reported) drug dealing, teenage prostitution, assaults, underage drinking and numerous disturbances. I have never seen a police officer on foot patrol.

Cruisers and bicycle patrols are also few and far between in the areas with the greatest amount of criminal activity. Without a visible police presence, the nights in Hagerstown will always belong to the criminals.

Of course the law-abiding citizens must also get involved. Every unreported crime encourages the prevailing attitude of lawlessness. While the recent improvements (sidewalks, etc.) are nice, these cannot replace safe neighborhoods and streets. It truly seems that Hagerstown is not a safe place to live, raise children or conduct business.

Without more effective and visible policing of our city's streets and active citizen involvement, it will never be safe. Until concrete steps are taken Hagerstown will continue to be plagued by crime and the predictable urban flight/decay that it causes.

R. Horn

Hagerstown

Thanks to all

To the editor:

The Student Government Association of Washington County Technical High School would like to thank all of the following people for their support, donations and time that helped to make our homecoming dance a success: